Visa and Status Related Information

Non-Immigration Visa-Services in China Not Provided Until Further Notice:

The following notice was issued by the Department of State
yesterday.  It should not effect those who will apply for a visa
in a third country, but essentially, there will be no services
for the issuance of nonimmigrant visas, including F, J, and
tourist visas at any of the posts in China until further notice.

Those applying for a visa in a third country may be subject
to a security clearance requirement based on the Technology
Alert List regulations as I had described in my email earlier
this week. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Parandeh

Department of State

People's Republic of China - Public Announcement
May 13, 1999

The security situation for Americans in China has improved following a
reduction in the scale and severity of the massive demonstrations
against American interests throughout the People's Republic of China
resulting from Chinese reaction to the accidental May 7 NATO bombing of
the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade.

While the U.S. government has no information regarding specific threats
against American interests in China at this time, anger towards the U.S.
and NATO remains strong and the potential exists for further violent
acts directed against American citizens and interests.  The Department
of State urges U.S. citizens throughout China to review their security
practices, remain alert to the changing situation, and avoid areas where
demonstrations are in progress.  Any incidents directed at American
citizens should be reported immediately to the U.S. Embassy or nearest
U.S. Consulate General.

Due to the more extensive damage inflicted on the U.S. Embassy in
Beijing and the Consulates General in Chengdu and Shenyang as a result
of violent demonstrations on May 8-11, these facilities will remain
closed to the public for routine business until at least Monday, May 17.

The U.S. Consulates General in Guangzhou and Shanghai did not sustain
significant damage and will reopen to the public on Friday, May 14, for
most American citizens services.  Immigrant visa processing in Guangzhou
will resume on Monday, May 17.

In view of the damage at U.S. facilities in China and/or the requirement
to review and improve security procedures for all public areas, the
Embassy and all of the Consulates General in China are unable to provide
nonimmigrant visa services until further notice.  Nonimmigrant visa
facilities will reopen as repairs are made and security arrangements
improve.  Persons desiring visa services, including immigrant visa
services, should check the Embassy webpage at www.usembassy-china.org.cn

This Public Announcement does not apply to the U.S. Consulate General in
Hong Kong, S.A.R., which remains open for business as usual.

This Public Announcement replaces the May 9 Travel Warning for the
People's Republic of China to reflect the reduction in demonstrations
against American interests, and the lifting of the recommendation that
American citizens defer travel to China.  This Public Announcement
expires May 31.

Technology Alert List:

You can find the text of the TAL at this web site
http://www.nafsa.org/retrieve/3.24/324.1.txt

Keep in mind that this was reissued to apply to Indians
and Pakistanis last year and now it is being considered
for Chinese nationals.  The text of it though only list countries
that are identified by the US as "sponsors of terrorism."
It essentially tells visa officers to get a security clearance
from the State Dept. for those who apply for visas to come
to the U.S. to engage in studies or research listed in the
regulations.

Last year after this was put into effect for Indian nationals,
several of our students were able to apply and receive a
visa without needing a security clearance.  I think this
will be handled on a case by case basis for Chinese
and will be in part determined by the consular post where
individuals apply for a visa.

I would like to try to put together a brief handout or email
message about this to send out to the Caltech C list. 
Perhpas you and Watson can give me some input as to
what would be most helpful for students.  I don't want
to create any sort of panic or worry people unnecessarily.
I do want to wait to see if there are any other issues that
may arise as a result of this past week's events in Belgrade
and Beijing.  But it is safe to assume that some type of
clearance may be required for many students applying
for a visa this summer.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Parandeh

Priority Dates:

>Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 10:28:23 -0700
>
>Another fast move of the priority dates.
>
>Here are the June dates for all Family and Employment-Based Categories:

>                   FAMILY CATEGORIES

>       Worldwide    China     India       Mexico     Philippines
>
> 
>
>1st    15FEB98    15FEB98     15FEB98     08AUG93     22AUG87
>
>
>2A     22DEC94    22DEC94     22DEC94     22NOV93     22DEC94
>
>
>2B     08JUL92    08JUL92     08JUL92     22JUL91     08JUL92
>
>
>3rd    01AUG95    01AUG95     01AUG95     08NOV90     01JUL87
>
>
>4th    22JUL88    22JUL88     15AUG86     01APR88     15JAN79
>
>                     EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES
>
>        Worldwide     China       India       Mexico    Philippines
>
>1st     Current      01JUL98     Current      Current   Current
>
>2nd     Current     22MAY97    08JAN98      Current     Current
>
>3rd     Current      15MAY95     15MAY96      Current     Current
>
>Unskilled Workers
>
>        01NOV92      01NOV92     01NOV92      01NOV92     01NOV92
>
>4th     Current      Current     Current      Current     Current
>
>5th     Current      Current     Current      Current     Current
>
>May 15, 1999